Pressure vessel closure



July 1, 1958 F. c. WEICKER 2,841,308

PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE Filed Dec. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 1,1958 C WEICKER 2,841,308

PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE Filed Dec. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 1,1958 F. c. WEICKER PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE Filed Dec. 25, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR C. h/E/CAE/t 7m 4 M m Fm 7 ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent C PRESSURE Vassar. CLOSURE Frederic C. Weicker, Moline,Ill., assignor to American Machine and Metals, Inc, New York, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application December 23, 1954, Serial No.477,322

7 Claims. (Cl. 22040) This invention relates to closures for pressurevessels and particularly to an arrangement for locking and unlockingsaid closures.

In pressure vessels having an access opening, such as filters, cookers,and the like, it is necessary to have a removable closure member toprovide ready access to the interior of said vessel, said closure memberbeing lockable in sealing relation with said opening. For safetyreasons, it is desirable that the closure member be arranged so that itcannot be unlocked or opened while substantial pressure exists withinthe vessel.

One of the objects of the present invention is to pro vide an improvedarrangement for locking and unlocking the closure member of a pressurevessel.

A still further object is to provide an arrangement wherein the closurecan be unlocked only when the pressure condition in the vessel is suchthat it is safe to unlock the same.

In one aspect of the invention, the pressure vessel may have a circularopening with a circular closure member adapted to be placed in sealingrelationship therewith. A rotatable locking ring may be mounted on thevessel adjacent the aperture, said ring having lugs thereon. The ringlugs are arranged to cooperate with lugs on the closure member uponturning of the locking ring relative to the closure member so that whenthe ring is rotated relative to the closure member, the closure memberwill be locked in sealed relationship by cam surfaces on the lugs. Thelugs on the closure are dimensioned relative to the lugs on the ring sothat when the ring and closure are in unlocked angular relationship, theclosure can be moved axially relative to the ring and vessel. Therelative rotation of the locking ring to the closure member isaccomplished by motor means, preferably fluid operated. In a preferredform, a hand, or otherwise operated, hydraulic pump can be connected tosaid fluid' operated motor means through a master control valve movableto permit fluid pressure of the pump to operate said motor means in aclosure looking or closure unlocking direction. When the pump isconnected to the motor means by said control valve for unlocking theclosure means, a motor means disabling or sequence valve is provided toprevent operation of the motor means in an unlocking direction exceptwhen the pressure within the vessel has been reduced to a predeterminedsafe level. In a preferred form, said disabling valve is connected tothe pressure connection from said pump to the fluid motor means in sucha manner as to relieve operating pressure in said connection whenpressure exists in said vessel.

In a further aspect, a fluid motor can be attached to the cover formoving the cover away from and toward the vessel, suitable valves andconnections being provided so that the cover closing and lockingarrangement can be sequentially operated by the source of fluid.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description and drawings, which aremerely exemplary.

In the drawings: t

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation view showing a closure member in placeon a pressure vessel, the dotdash lines showing the position of theclosure member when removed therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a view looking from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit showing-one arrangement for operating theclosure member locking and unlocking means, the motor control valvebeing in closure locking position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the motor control valve in aposition for unlocking operation of the motor means, the disabling valvebeing open due to pressure within the pressure vessel.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig.2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are similar to Figs. 3 and 4 except that means forsequentially actuating the door have been added.

The invention will be described in conjunction with a cylindricalpressure vessel having an open end with a cooperating closure member.Cylindrical shell 10 (Figs. 1, 2) has an open end surrounded by anannular lip 15, the open end being closeable by closure or cover member11. The lip may be separately formed and welded to the shell orotherwise attached. A suitable gasket can be inserted between theclosure member or cover 11 and the lip 15 or end of the vessel. Closuremember 11 has a plurality of radially extending lugs 12 located aroundits periphery, the distance between adjacent lugs being greater than thearcuate length of a lug. Rotatable locking ring 13 cooperates with saidlip 15, said locking ring 13 having a flange 16 engageable with the rearside of lip 15. Lugs 17 of said ring are arranged to engage operativelylugs 12 of the closure member when the ring is rotated relative to thecover after the cover has been moved axially relative to the pressurevessel and against said lip. Either or both sets of lugs 12 or 17 mayhave cam surfaces so that as the ring 13 is rotated, closure member 11will be firmly locked in sealing relation to the vessel. Preferably, thecam surfaces extend continuously the length of the lugs.

One manner of rotating locking ring 13 is by employment of hydraulic orfluid motors 18, said fluid motors having cylinders 19 pivotally mountedat 20 to an exterior portion of the shell of pressure vessel 10, pistonor ram arrangement 21 being pivotally connected at 22 with locking ring13. As will be described hereafter, suitable connecting pipes 23, 24 canbe employed to supply fluid from the hydraulic operating means. Thestroke of the piston in its cylinder can serve to limit rotation of thering.

The invention is illustrated in conjunction with a filter enclosed inpressure vessel 10, said pressure vessel being supported on saddles orsupports 25. An overhead monorail can be supported at one end on thepressure vessel by bracket 27 and at the other end in any suitablemanner. The closure member 11 can be connected through projection 28 tocarriage 29 moveably mounted on monorail 26. In this form, closure 11 ismoveable axially relative to vessel 11) to and from open and closedposition.

In a preferred arrangement for rotating locking ring 13, reference maybe made to Fig. 3, wherein main control valve 30 has been moved to theleft to connect the fluid pump with the ring moving fluid motor to movethe locking ring in a locking direction. First the operation of the ringlocking and unlocking arrangement will be described.

Hand pump 31 may be of any suitable type having an inlet 32 connected toa reservoir or fluid supply tank 33. pump output line 34 feeds throughcheck valve 35 to central port 36 of body 37 of main control valve 30,

31 is actuated, fluid willflow or pressure will'be transmitted throughline 34, check valve 35, central port 36, port landline 33 o he ishthaend o fluidmotor 39. f This vvill cause piston 40 tonmove ,connecting djl; .a d lockin ringA ri Q lo k gne tionsh p:Id to the cover. As viewedin Fig. 3, loc king ring sflcorresponding to ring-l3, can be consideredto bemovedinto J log 'ngrelationship when it is moved in acounteniclock- H Line. 43 is, connected through.-port.44 vvithpport45,;which,permits liquid frornthe lefthand end "ofthe cylinder to'flowfreely to reservoir 46, said,-. reser- Xo flde i e be u t y. onn t lfn thow i w Lreseryoirfil d lnasmuch asfithere ,is no, pressure in vessel47,- spring 48 will act on bellows 49 to keepthe pressure relief valve,50 on its seat and thusclose the relief passagejl to relief reservoiror, line 52. .Relief reservoin52 also may ,be. connectedio the mainreservoir 33 through-a suitable ,line (not shown).

Assuming that pressure vessel 47, correspondingto vessel 10, isunderpressure and control-valve 30; has been moved to :the' right (Fig.4) for unlocking of the closurernember, actuation of hand pump 31 .willcause fluid toflow through port 36, port 44, line 43 to-the left hand.end. of fluid motor;39. 'The right ,hand end of tion or reservoir 52,so that motor 39 will notmovcring operation of pump 31 will exertpressure on the left hand end of cylinder 55 through line 86, valve 83,,line 87, valve 75, line 74.

cylinder 55 will flow through closed valve 71, line 70,

line 38A to reservoir I Thus, it can be seen thatthe door and lockingring can be sequentiallygoperated. p

Various types of pressure sensitive relief valve, or

wsequence =means .canibe used as' well' as;,any suitable main structioncan be varied without'departing from the spirit I control valve. Also,various types of motor means for turning the ring can be employed,pressure .in the vessel above :aasafe. unlockinglevelndisabling.saidsmotor-means. It is to be further understood that,other details ofconof the invention except as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim: s 1 ..In apressure vessel :having closuremeans forlclo'sing an'opening in said vessel; said means including: a

.-tatable. relative. to,the.- other for lockingsaid cover :when

ing motonmeans connected toasaid ring for;rotating. said rotatableelement relative tozthe other element,.motor 42. After pressure invessel47 has been-reduced -;sufiiciently so: that itis safe to unlock;the vessel, valve 50 .will close and thereafter actuation ofpumpfil 1vill; re J sultinmovement of-piston to turn ring 42 in a clockwise; orunlocking direction.

In a further aspect, power cylinder 55 may be mounted on bracket 56,said cylinder having a piston therein con- Znected by' red 57with-carriage 29. Fluid connections can be provided for subjecting theappropriate endofthe cylinder to move the door toward and away fromjtheactuating, meansconnected to said motor means,for;actuating. s aid.motor=, means in lockingandv unlocking direction, and fluid pressure-.responsive means: communicating ,vvithgthednterior. of said vesseland; connected 7 to, said zmotor actuating means for preventing .the.actuation of said motor meansby saidgactuatingsmeanssto .,,ther ebypreVenLturning ,said rotatable element from a 7 locked; to. .an unlockedposition ,-relative, :to. said' .other elementu'hen; the pressure intheinterior of said. vessel is more than a predetermined value.

2.,ln a pressure vessel having closure means foriclosing an openingin..said-;vesse1, said means havingv a pair of elements, one of which isrotatable, relative to the :other relative to,the other element,fluidpressure'source means connected ,to saidfluidoperated motormeans'for actuat- .ingsaidmotor means inlocking andunlockingdirection,

to one against its seat and the locking; ring turned and vice versa. 7 V

One manner in which this can be carried out'is illusand fluidpressureresponsive means communicating-wit the. inter or,= ofsaidvesselandconnected to said fluid pressure source meanshforpreventingthe actuation of said fluid operated motor means by. said 'sourcemean's' whfi lmorethan a, vPredetermined pressure exist's'in said tratedin Figs. 6 and 7, similar parts to- 1?igs.v 3 and-A being givenidentical; numbers.

valve 71 inFig. 6 being open to end 72-jof cylinder '55. The, left handend 7 3 is connected through line 74 and valve 75 to reservoir 76.Projection 77; on pistonqrod: 57 isarranged to movevalve 75 to; thatshown in Fig; 6 when the door is in its; fully opened position. As-fluidpressureisapplied by pump 31,.it wilLmovepistonrod 57 to the left 'untilthedooris imposition against-the vessel; "Projection 73 then--will openvalve -71so' that further operation of pump 31 will exertpressure on theright hand end of piston 40 through line 80.: Projection 77 also willcontact projection 81 on valve operatorz-BZ to move the valve to theposition illustratedin Fig. 7.

As;;t he locking ring isrotated to the .locked position, valve 83 will'be closed; because projection. .on .the ring will move away from saidvalve 83.

When itisdesired toopen the vessel from-the locked positipn of Fig. 7,assuming there is no pressure within the vessel, operation of pump 31will exert .pres'sure'ifirst' line 33A-to -r e servoirl46. -Whenjthe'ring is. opened,-

vesse-Lso asto. prevent opening said closure except whe'n the pressure.withingsaid vessel'is .below said predetermined value.

v 3.111 a-Pressure, vessel having closure meansfor closing angopeningin,said vessel, said means including a cover, having ,c'ooperatingcam-means therebetween the combmanonincludmg pressure motor means forrotating said rotatable, element relative to the other element, pressures upply meansconnected to said-"motor'means for actuating ;sa1d motormeans in:.-locking"and unlocking dlrectiom andsafety'interlockfluidpressurerespo'nsive means communicating with theinterior of said vesseland conn g dtmsald pressure supplyi means toprevent-actuw tlQnfOf Sald motor means by said supply'rneans,"therebvpreventing opening of said cover when'thepressure in said vesselisgabo'v'e' aipredetermined value.

4. In a pressure vessel having closure rneansfor closing" an opening1n;-sa1dvessel, saidrneans including a ring and -cover, one;.of theseelements being rotatable'relativeto theqther,=.=fordockingsaid coveronsaid vessel when 7 rotated in one direction and unlocking 'said*covcr'when Fluidfrom the right hand end of locking ring and cover, oneof these ,elementsbeingrorotated in the opposite direction, said ringand cover having cooperating cam means therebetween, the combinationincluding a pair of pressure motor means conuected to said ring forrotating said rotatable element relative to the other element, pressuresupply means connected to said motor for actuating said motor means inlocking and unlocking direction, and safety interlock fluid pres eresponsive means communicating with the nterior id vessel and connectedto said pressure supply means to prevent actuation of said moto: meansby said supply means when the pressure in said vessel is above apredetermined value.

5. In a pressure vessel having closure means for closing an opening insaid vessel, said m ans including a. ring and cover, one of theseelements being rotatable relativ to the other for locking said cover onvessel when rotated in one direction and unlocking said cover whenrotated in the opposite direction, said ring and cover havingcooperating cam means therebetween, the combination including a pair ofpressure motor means connected to said ring for rotatiing said rotatableelement relative to the other element, pressure supply means connectedto said motor means for actuating said motor means in locking andunlocking direction, main control valve means connected to said motormeans and said pressure supply means, so that said motor means can beoperated selectively in locking and unlocking direction, and safetyinterlock fluid pressure responsive means communicating With theinterior of said vessel and connected to said pressure supply means toprevent actuation of said motor means in unlocking direction when thepressure in said vessel is above a predetermined value.

6. In a cylindrical pressure vessel having a door for closing an openend thereof, and a locking ring mounted on said vessel, said door andring having interengageable lugs With cooperating cam means, said ringbeing rotatable relative to said door for locking said door on saidvessel when rotated in one direction and unlocking said door whenrotated in the opposite direction, the combination including fluidoperated motor means connected to said ring for rotating the ringrelative to said door, fluid pressure supply means, a main control valveconnected to said motor means and said fluid pressure supply so thatsaid motor means can be operated selectively in looking and unlockingdirection, and safety interlock fluid pressure responsive meanscommunicating with the interior of said vessel and connected to saidfluid pressure supply means, said fluid responsive means relievingoperating pressure to said fluid operated motor means when actuated inan unlocking direction when the pressure in said vessel is above apredetermined value.

7. in a pressure vessel having closure means for closing opening in saidvessel, said means including a lockmg ring and cover, one of theseelements being rotatable relative to the other for locking said coverwhen rotated in one direction and unlocking said cover When rotated inthe opposite direction, the combination including motor means connectedto said ring for rotatin said rotatable element relative to the otherelement, motor actuating means connected to said motor means foractuating said motor means in locking and unlocking direction, a maincontrol means connecting said motor actuating means and motor means, sothat said motor means can be selectively operated in looking andunlocking direction, fluid pressure responsive means communicating withthe interior of said vessel and connected to said motor actuating meansto prevent actuation of said motor means in unlocking direction whenpressure in said vessel is more than a predetermined value, and fluidpressure motor means connected to said cover for moving th same towardand away from said vessel.

leferences @ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,002,029 Brown Aug. 29, 1911 1,858,013 Heins May 10, 1932 2,160,062Drake et a1. lay 30, 1939 2,583,073 Ahlborn Jan. 22, 1952 2,679,099Dunton Feb. 23, 1954 2,718,239 Erbguth Sept. 20, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS327,893 France Sept. 11, 1903 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No, 2,841,308 July 1, 195

Frederic C Weicker Column 2, line '71, for "pump output" read Pumpoutlet column 4, line 39, for "closing" read closure column 5, line 21,for "rotatiing" read rotating Signed and sealed this 25th day ofNovember 1958..

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patent

